Villainess Style: The Marquise de Merteuil Shopping Guide

If you have not seen Dangerous Liasons I do not know what kind of choices you are making with your life. Why are you sitting reading a website right now? Jesus Christ, stop being so dumb. Go watch Dangerous Liasons immediately. It’s about 18th century French aristocrats playing sex games because they are sophisticated and bored and well read. It’s everything you ever wanted Fifty Shades of Grey to be. And according to Sparknotes:

The Marquise de Merteuil is a self-described, self-made woman. She writes that she is her own creator. As a young girl Merteuil refused to let fate or society describe her, and began to compose herself. After her husband died, she set about educating herself and creating a reputation. Since then, she has remained at the top of the heap through careful manipulation, never once letting her guard down.

Admittedly, she never uses her power for good, it’s really only to sexually manipulate people and shame people she feel has wronged her. That’s why she’s a villainess and not a heroine.

Can we bring back warm gold tones? They’re really great. Also- when I was young I identified with that bit about sticking the fork in her hand under the table when she was sick of dealing with the world. She’s not a good role model and I don’t think it’s possible to just pick out the parts you like and ignore the rest. Except of course for the perfect posture. That we can keep.